Horticulture/Fall Cleanup

Fall cleanup is the process of "putting the garden to bed" for the winter. Outline: Before leaves fall Identify trees and shrubs with diseased foliage, treat or remove as necessary Remove any weeds, with priority to those that will be in seed when leaf cleanup is done Prepare compost area Check lawn for weeds, treat and reseed if necessary Dig tropical plants and prepare them for overwintering indoors During leaf fall Keep hardscapes clean for safety Frequently pick up leaves from trees and shrubs with diseased foliage Dig or mulch tender plants as necessary After leaves fall Cutting back What to cut back What not to cut back Winter interest Insulation Bird habitat concerns Fall pruning What to prune What not to prune Heeling In ground In containers Mulching Deciding whether to insulate or expose Composting Shredding Storing browns Bulb planting Separate chapter Transplants and new plants 25%